Hip replacement, living alone and with responsibility for pet.

That's great news @Zimmer. The time will rush by with all the preparation. I hope it goes well and keep us posted.

I'm finding each day I feel a little better and able to move more, although still need to pace myself with occasional rest periods, especially since sleeping on my back is not easy. But I take opportunities when they arise. And only on 2 doses of paracetamol per day for the past few days.

Having the support of others who have been through this really helped, so thank you everyone who has added their comments.

Jane

Hi @cocoa, sounds as if you are well prepared. All the best for tomorrow - it will be over before you know it and soon you will be back home for your recovery.

After only 4 weeks, I'm amazed at how much progress I've made. I can now move around indoors and in the garden using just one crutch, although not quite confident enough to give up using two on my walks. But they are getting easier as well and I have to pause less. And am up to 25 mins at a time, so getting just that bit further each day.

Still have the occasional dose of paracetamol when I have difficulty sleeping at night, but think that's partly due to the discomfort from sleeping on my back, so hoping I can do without when I am allowed to sleep on my side again. And can't wait now to get back to driving and using public transport again, so I can start getting out more.

Thank you to everyone for your support, including @JPT, @Janlyn, @Trish9556, @frogmorton, @Fran54 (and good luck with your second hip operation) and @Zimmer. Not long till your op now so hope all the prep goes well.

For all those about to go through the same operation, do keep us posted and will be thinking of you.

All the best,

Jane x

Thank you @Zimmer, I read a few hip replacement diaries before I went in, and after the op, to get an idea of the different stages people progressed to after a certain number of days, which really helped me.

Unfortunately this hot weather is holding me back, as if I don't get out for a walk really early then I can't do much at all, apart from slowly doing my physio exercises when I can. I wanted to be doing more by now as I'm seeing my physio on Monday, but just have to be patient. And one advantage of the dry weather is that I managed to get the washing out on my own this morning.

Blood thinners and cats not always compatible. Yesterday he jumped up a bit too energetically and just grazed my (good) leg, but it gushed immediately, so I had to get up and bathe it in salt water to cleanse it and wait till the bleeding stopped. So have to be careful with even the slightest knock, which would once have caused no more than a small bruise. Still, only 6 more days to go on the aspirin.

Hope your journey goes well and look forward to hearing your news.

Jane x

Been going out for a walk really early these past few days, before it starts to get too hot. I hadn't been planning to go very far today, as I had a longer walk yesterday first thing, but when I got out I realised I only had one crutch with me, as I'd got so used to using one indoors. So I decided to go ahead, and it felt OK. It's a bit daunting the first time when you've got no-one with you, and at that time of day on a Saturday nobody around, so I didn't go too far, but it feels like another achievement. I think for longer walks I may still take two, but at least I know now I can manage with one, and as time goes on that will get easier.

Hope everyone is managing in this heat. At least it's not due to last much longer.

Hello @cocoa, you are doing really well after a general anaesthetic. And no injections, which is a bonus. Interesting how different treatment options are depending on where you live. I just had paracetamol and codeine tabs for home and that was enough for me, although for the first few nights I was counting the hours till I could take the next dose of paracetamol. But now, nearly 5 weeks after the op, I haven't taken anything for a few days. No doubt I will have occasional flare-ups, but so glad to be off the codeine with the side-effects. But in the first few days take everything they offer!

This weather doesn't help for keeping moving, but it should cool down soon. And it's only 48 hours for you, so just do a little when you feel up to it and pace yourself. I found with the exercises there were some I just couldn't do at first, so left them until I felt ready. Or just did a few reps at first and built up.

If you haven't already, you will find your leg swells up after a few days, but I was told that's part of the healing process. And it does get better eventually.

Hope all goes well with your recovery and keep us posted.

Jane x

Just seen the physio for my 5 week check and all good. I can start driving again in a week, so really looking forward to getting out more and back to a normal(ish) life.

More exercises to do, and I can start walking upstairs leading with my right as well as left leg, using the rails for balance. And I can start sleeping on my side soon, with a knee pillow, which will be a relief.

Raised loo seat gone, and I'm using just one crutch indoors and for some of the time when walking outside.

I will also be able to bend carefully in a week's time, so feeding the cat will be an easier process again, which will be a relief for him as well!

So really pleased with my progress, although I'm prepared for ups and downs for a good while longer, so still taking it day by day.

Lovely refreshing breeze here today and just hoping for some rain soon for my poor parched garden.

Hope everyone's week goes well.

Jane x

@Fran54, good to hear from you. How are you doing after your second op? Hope you are making good progress as well.

It's been so encouraging to hear from others who have been through/are going through similar experiences. Gave me so many tips to help me prepare for my op and the weeks of recovery. It will be a while till I resume all my former activities, but now I can start to plan for a few months' time, so it's all feeling much more positive. And I'm already doing better than I was in the weeks before the op, so just have to remember how bad it had got.

Take care everyone xx